Cheap Italian alternative to Google Glass

GlassUp-Google Glass
Italian startup GlassUp is reportedly stirring up some controversy with Google. GlassUp is offered at almost one-fourth the price of Google Glass. One costs $399, the other $1500. In last March, a Google trademark lawyer reportedly asked GlassUp to change both the company name and the product's name, claiming that consumers might get confused. Is there a chance? Where you confused in the manner Google thinks?

GlassUp-Google Glass: A comparison
In the same vein as Google Glass, GlassUp serves as a second-screen to your iOS or Android smartphone. It displays text messages, emails, notifications, and more. But there are a few things that set GlassUp apart from Google Glass.

GlassUp-Google Glass: A comparison
For one, it's cheaper. It costs $399 compared to $1,500 for Google Glass. Though, the commercial version of Glass will likely be much more affordable than the current cost of its developers version.

GlassUp-Google Glass
Second of all, they actually look like glasses, providing the wearer with a more discreet experience. The glasses also display the information closer to the center of your field of a view, as opposed to near the top right of your field of vision.

GlassUp-Google Glass: A comparison
Another big advantage is battery life. GlassUp will be able to last for 150 hours on standby and for eight hours with constant use. Glass, on the other hand, has been reported to only last two to five hours. That varies depending on how much video you record.

GlassUp-Google Glass: A comparison
Finally, GlassUp doesn't have a camera. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. You won't be able to capture your life as seamlessly real-time, but at least the general public won't have to worry about you recording them every time you have the glasses on. Though, there is a version of GlassUp that does come with a camera.

GlassUp: The patent fight
In June 2012, Google had filed trademark applications worldwide for "Glass," as it pertains to computer hardware, computer peripherals, wearable computer peripherals, and much more. But GlassUp doesn't seem to be too worried.

GlassUp: The patent fight
"We all know that augmented reality is expected to be big in the near future; we will have AR glasses, jackets, hats, whatever. You cannot own those words. If we develop a glove that sends to a PC the movements of my fingers (it's being done, as you know), we can't be inhibited from calling it a Glove, even if it's singular," GlassUp's Giartosio wrote in an e-mail to CNET.

GlassUp: The patent fight
"Here is even a better example: we have read in the news that Google is developing a technological shoe. Do you really think that you will own the word Shoe for tech shoes from now on?" We have reached out to Google and will update this story if we hear back.

GlassUp: You can pre-order
You can pre-order the device for $399. GlassUp had just launched a $150,000 IndieGogo campaign to raise money for its new augmented reality glasses. At the time of publication, GlassUp has raised $21,206 of its $150,00 goal.